Colombia deepens ties with Israel, considers Holocaust alliance membership after embassy opening

Colombia is considering applying to join the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) as ties with Israel deepen, Israeli Ambassador Vivian Aisen revealed. The discussion occurred during Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar's visit for the inauguration of Colombia's new embassy in Jerusalem on October 14, making it the 10th country with an embassy there. The diplomatic reversal under President Abelardo de la Espriella includes restored relations, lifted visa requirements, and renewed free trade agreement.

Colombia is considering applying to join the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) as part of rapidly deepening ties with Israel, Israeli Ambassador to Colombia Vivian Aisen revealed to The Media Line. The discussion took place between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar during Bula's visit to Jerusalem for the inauguration of Colombia's new embassy in Jerusalem on October 14. Colombia adopted the IHRA working definition of antisemitism in 2022 but is not currently a member. The embassy opening, attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, made Colombia the 10th country with an embassy in Jerusalem and the fourth Latin American nation to do so. The move is part of a broader diplomatic reversal under President Abelardo de la Espriella, whose government has restored full relations with Israel, lifted visa requirements, removed coal export restrictions, and renewed the free trade agreement. At a reception, Bula announced Colombia had formally requested to withdraw from the Hague Group, a coalition coordinating legal measures against Israel over the Gaza war, and plans for a national initiative to combat antisemitism. Palestinian and Jordanian officials criticized the embassy opening. The article notes that Colombia's diplomatic realignment also includes withdrawing its intervention in South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.